James Brasuell, AICP is the former editorial director of Planetizen and is now a senior public affairs specialist at the Southern California Association of Governments. James managed all editorial content and direction for Planetizen from 2014 to 2023, and was promoted from manging editor to editorial director in 2021. After a first career as a class five white water river guide in Trinity County in Northern California, James started his career in Los Angeles as a volunteer at a risk reduction center in Skid Row. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.
The Challenge of Re-Orienting Strip Malls for Transit
Bill Lindeke writes of the daunting urban design and planning challenge presented by America's post-war fascination with the strip mall.
An Interactive Map of California's Urban Water Use
California has commenced new water use reporting requirements, which the Pacific Institute has compiled into an interactive map and database to provide accessible evidence about where the state's water goes.
Nashville MTA Ends Bus Rapid Transit Plans
One of the more hotly contested transit projects in the country—The Amp bus rapid transit project in Nashville, Tennessee—is dead. Nashville MTA officials promise a new strategic plan for the future of transit in the city.
Mapping the Places Referenced by 224 State of the Union Speeches
If you're into place names and the history of presidential politics, we have just the map for you.
New York MTA Increases Transit Fares to Fund Capital Investments
The latest fare increase for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority comes against the backdrop of record ridership and a $15 billion funding gap for the system's five-year capital plan.